Red Riding Hood

Welcome to another episode Lights....Camera....Popcorn!

Today's review is Red Riding Hood. Directed by Cathernine Hardwicke. Written by David Johnson.

Review #108

MPAA Rating: PG-13 for violence and creature terror, and some sensuality.

Runtime: 100 min

Cast

Amanda Seyfried - Valerie

Gary Oldman - Father Solomon

Billy Burke - Cesaire

Shiloh Fernandez - Peter

Max Irons - Henry

Virginia Madsen - Suzette

Lukas Haas - Father Auguste

Julie Christie - Grandmother


And thus it begins. The latest en vogue thing in Hollywood. Adapting old time fantasy stories into live action films. Along with Beastly which is a remake of Beauty and The Beast. Red Riding Hood is the next to kick off what will be a future onslaught of fantasy films. From Hansel & Gretel to Jack and The Beanstalk to Cinderella to two versions of Snow White. Why film makers insist on going this route is beyond comprehension but as long as they pull in $$$ it doesn't really matter.

It's too bad because if the almighty buck wasn't the singular motivating factor for making these films, Red Riding Hood could have and should have been better than what it was.

Valerie is a young girl who formed a deep love for her childhood friend Peter. Their love can't be consummated because Valerie has been promised to marry Henry. This of course is the least of her problems because her town of Daggenhorn is under siege by a vicious werewolf. Hoping to help, the town's priest enlists the help of Father Solomon who's had experience in dealing with creatures of other worldly origin.

Red Riding Hood can be described in two words. Ambitious and Draggy. Neither are complementary. Throughout the picture you are shown several potential werewolf suspects and it initially creates an interesting mystery. Then for some reason it goes into overkill. The movie goes too far trying to misdirect the audience with who the real werewolf is that when you finally find out, the pay off is VERY unsatisfying. The pacing of the film doesn't help it's cause either. After each wolf attack, the movie comes to a grinding halt. Filled with lazy transitions and investigation of who the wolf really is. The performances by the cast is standard. Even the great Gary Oldman gives you the impression of paycheck acting.

It really is too bad because the effort was valiant but the execution was sloppy and poorly constructed. If this is what the future holds for our favorite bedtime stories then perhaps it's time to go back and hit the books.

On the 5 star scale. Red Riding Hood gets 2 stars. With a "Netflix It" recommendation.

That's a wrap for today. Up next is Limitless followed by The Lincoln Lawyer then Sucker Punch.

Until Next Episode...."I'll Save You A Seat!"

"D"